TOP 10: Interview Tricks

 

Last year, I attended a 12-week programme by Soroptimist International of Petaling Jaya (SIPJ) , called SEEED JobsForLife, initiated by Dato' Anusha Santhirasthipam. It was a great programme to help youth find their dream jobs and I learned a lot from the course. I would like to share some of the lessons I found useful in this blog post. Thank you SIPJ!

Whether applying for a job or a scholarship, you will have to admit that an interview is a part of your life whether you like it or not. Here are my top 10 tricks to help you survive your interview and hopefully score you that job you like. These tricks are not in any particular order.

#1 - Your Dress Code

You must dress to impress and by that I mean to impress positively. Wear something comfortable but smart and neat. Business attire is appropriate if you are applying for a corporate position. However, this depends on your job. Some companies may appreciate a more casual approach to the interview. Bottom line is don't show up in a singlet with a sideway cap on, unless you are joining a record company and even then, they would expect some professionalism from you. 

So, DO:

   
 DON'T


  

#2 - Your Phone

Just like in a cinema, turn off your phone. Unless there is an absolute emergency, you need to direct your immediate attention to your interviewer. Being distracted by your phone and , god forbid, answering your phone in the middle of an interview is a surefire way to not get the job. 

 
  
#3 - Friendly Conversation

Your interview actually begins not in the interview room itself. It begins the second you greet the receptionist. If your interviewer comes out and meets you, be alert and attentive. Don't be passed out on the waiting room chair. 

  


When you meet anyone in the room, keep a good smile on and talk casually. Find something like sports or the weather to talk about. However, don't talk out of your ass.  No one likes a noisy person who doesn't contribute but they like a sociable person as it shows that you can work with people. 

 #4 - Your Resume

I am not going to go into how to make a good resume now. This article is assuming that you already have a perfect resume on hand. 

Do: 
  • Have a printed copy of your resume
  • Make sure it isn't a crumpled mess
  • Store it in a clear folder
  • Make sure it is professional while standing out among others
Don't:
  •  Put it in the back pocket of your pants
  • Show your interviewer a soft copy using your phone
  • Use colour unless you are applying for an artistic job
  • Stuff it in your wallet
  • Leave stains on it
 #5 - Eye Contact

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Eye contact is very important as it is a sign of mutual respect and attention. However, constant eye contact make become creepy. So, instead of looking into their eyes and soul, look at their nose or the space in between the eyes. It becomes less offputting while maintaining the same effect of attentiveness and respect. 

#6 - Anticipate

Learn to anticipate questions that your potential employer may ask because fumbling on your answer may be a sign of lack of confidence. Here are some question to expect in an interview:
  • Tell me about yourself?
    • Learn how you identify yourself before you go to a company. 
  • What is your greatest strength and weakness? 
    • Learn what you can provide for the company.
  • Why should the company hire you?
    • Assess your skills and self worth.      
  • How do you handle stress?
    • Stress management is very important in any workplace to ensure you don't do anything impulsive that may destroy the company (applies especially when working in a bomb squad *kaboom*)
#7 - Be prepared 

It is important to be prepared for your interview. It isn't just a matter of being physically and mentally prepared but it is important to learn up on the company that you want. For example, you don't go up to Microsoft when you don't know the first thing about what the company does. A bad scenario would be when the employer asks you "Do you know what Microsoft is?" and you respond with "An edgy dessert chain?". Yeah, so don't be foolish, read up on your company. 

#8 - Hygiene


This could be a supplement to the above statement on dress code but I feel that hygiene is important enough to warrant its own slot on this list. Sometimes, people go to interviews and they smell like they lived out of a dumpster for the past few weeks. Even if that was the case, it would be recommended that you find a way to get a quick bath. If you don't own a bathroom, go to a local toilet and have a quick shower using the bidet. A clean worker is a hired worker.  
 
#9 - Be Confident but Humble
 Confidence is important but never be too overconfident. Sure, you may be able to beat 10 guys in a barfight but would you go around claiming that you can beat 20 only to be beaten when a group of 11 comes at you? Understand your own strengths and weaknesses but don't overestimate what you can do. Understand that employers will take full advantage of all your strengths upon hiring you, so if you over-exaggerate, you could ruin the company. So, if you are too good to be true, the odds of you being hired isn't as high. 
However, confidence itself is very important as you have to be able to show that you have the emotional strength and stress management skills to bring the company to new heights. 

And Finally... #10 - Breathe
 
Many problems arise from people who just don't breathe. You may talk to quickly. Jump around in conversation. And as your potential boss' face contorts into a confused glare, you would panic. This simple exercise would be good to do before your interview:
  1. Inhale
  2. Exhale
  3. Inhale for 4 seconds
  4. Hold for 4 seconds
  5. Exhale for 4 seconds
  6.  Repeat the above 4 times
 Now with these 10 tricks, you will be able to get your job! Good luck!

Sharing is Caring,
Sean Wang 

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2 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Yes, Body Language is very important in every form of communication. Tone of voice too!

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